> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.equals.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Dropdowns and data validation

Data validation controls what can be entered into a cell. Dropdowns are the most common use: instead of typing a value and hoping it matches, you pick from a fixed list of options rendered as coloured pills. Equals also supports checkboxes and a full set of text, number, date, and custom formula rules, so a range of cells can only ever hold the values you expect.

## Adding a dropdown

* **Insert menu**: Select the cells you want to cover, then choose *Insert* > *Dropdown*. Equals creates a rule on that range with two starter options and opens the sidebar so you can edit them.
* **Checkbox**: *Insert* > *Checkbox* does the same thing for a simple true/false cell, rendered as a tickbox you can click directly in the grid.
* **Data menu**: *Data* > *Data validation* opens the sidebar directly, where you can add a rule of any criteria type.

In the sidebar you can rename each option, drag options to reorder them, and pick a colour for each from the light and dark swatch palettes. Under *Data range* you can add or adjust the ranges the rule applies to — a single rule can cover several ranges, on the same sheet or across sheets.

## Using dropdowns

* **Pick a value**: Click the pill in a cell to open the list, then select an option. The cell takes the option's colour.
* **Edit in place**: The bottom of the option list has *Edit dropdown*, which reopens the sidebar for that rule.
* **Invalid values**: Typing or pasting a value that isn't in the list still writes the value, but the cell is marked with a red triangle. Hovering it explains why the value is invalid.

## Other validation rules

Beyond dropdowns and checkboxes, a rule can require a cell to satisfy:

* **Text**: contains, does not contain, starts with, ends with, is exactly, is a valid email, is a valid URL.
* **Number**: greater than, less than, equal to, not equal to, between, not between — with or without equality.
* **Date**: is, is before, is after, is between, is not between.
* **Custom formula**: any formula that returns TRUE for a valid cell, so you can validate against a lookup range, another column, or query results.

These rules don't block entry; they flag cells that fail, so you can spot bad data in a model without it disappearing on you.

## Managing rules

*Data* > *Data validation* lists every rule in the workbook, split into rules on the current sheet and rules on other sheets. Each entry shows the criteria and the ranges it covers. Click a rule to edit it, or use the cross to remove it — removing a rule leaves the cell values in place and only stops validating them.

Rules move with your data. Inserting, deleting, or moving rows and columns shifts the ranges a rule covers, and copying cells carries their validation to the destination.